New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of the Protocol amending the Convention between India and Portugal for avoidance of Double Taxation.

According to an official statement, the Protocol will also ensure prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. The statement said, “Once the Protocol enters into force, both India and Portugal would be able to exchange tax related information, which will help tax authorities of both countries to curb tax evasion.”

The Cabinet also approved leave encashment up to 180 days in respect of those Defence personnel who died or were invalidated out of service from December 30, 1991 to November 29, 1999, with less than 15 years of service.

An official statement said, the decision will benefit the families of 9,777 officers and other personnel of Defence Services who died or were invalidated out of service during this period.

The statement said, “This period is very significant as a large number of causalities took place during the Kargil conflict (Operation Vijay) and in counter insurgency operation in J&K and North East during the period.”

The Cabinet gave its nod for the introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill 2017 and the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 in Parliament.

The posts and office premises held by the existing National Commission for Backward Classes will be retained by the proposed new National Commission for Backward Classes.

This approval is for the proposal to bring about a Constitutional Amendment namely the Constitution (One Hundred Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2017. Under the new law, the government will constitute a Commission under Article 338B for socially and educationally backward classes by name of National Commission for Backward Classes.

Clause (26C) under Article 366 will be inserted with a modified definition of “socially and educationally backward classes”.

“The new definition means such backward classes as are so deemed under Article 342A for the purpose, this Constitution…The above decisions will lead to overall welfare of socially and educationally backward classes, ” the statement said.